the saints, though they had so obvious interest in keeping friendly relations with Peter, found public opinion too strong to defy.  The case was desperate.  The Trinity were—­or was—­emphatic, and—­what was rare in the Middle Ages—­every member of the feudal hierarchy sustained its decision.  Nothing more could be done in the regular way.  Saint Peter was obliged to divest himself of authority, and place himself and his dignity in the hands of the Virgin.  Accordingly he asked for an audience, and stated the case to Our Lady.  With the utmost grace, she instantly responded:—­

“Pierre, Pierre,” dit Nostre Dame,
 “En moult grand poine et por ceste ame
 De mon douz filz me fierai
 Tant que pour toi l’en prierai.” 
 La Mere Dieu lors s’est levee,
 Devant son filz s’en est alee
 Et ses virges toutes apres. 
 De lui si tint Pierre pres,
 Quar sanz doutance bien savoit
 Que sa besoigne faite avoit
 Puisque cele l’avoit en prise
 Ou forme humaine avoit prise.

Quant sa Mere vit li douz Sire
 Qui de son doit daigna escrire
 Qu’en honourant et pere et mere
 En contre lui a chere clere
 Se leva moult festivement
 Et si li dist moult doucement;
 “Bien veigniez vous, ma douce mere,”
 Comme douz filz, comme douz pere. 
 Doucement l’a par la main prise
 Et doucement lez lui assise;
 Lors li a dit:—­“A douce chiere,
 Que veus ma douce mere chiere,
 Mes amies et mes sereurs?”

“Pierre, Pierre,” our Lady said,
 “With all my heart I’ll give you aid,
 And to my gentle Son I’ll sue
 Until I beg that soul for you.” 
 God’s Mother then arose straightway,
 And sought her Son without delay;
 All her virgins followed her,
 And Saint Peter kept him near,
 For he knew his task was done
 And his prize already won,
 Since it was hers, in whom began
 The life of God in form of Man.

When our dear Lord, who deigned to write
 With his own hand that in his sight
 Those in his kingdom held most dear
 Father and mother honoured here,—­
 When He saw His Mother’s face
 He rose and said with gentle grace: 
 “Well are you come, my heart’s desire!”
 Like loving son, like gracious sire;
 Took her hand gently in His own;
 Gently placed her on His throne,
 Wishing her graciously good cheer:—­
 “What brings my gentle Mother here,
 My sister, and my dearest friend?”

One can see Queen Blanche going to beg—­or command—­a favour of her son, King Louis, and the stately dignity of their address, while Saint Peter and the virgins remain in the antechamber; but, as for Saint Peter’s lost soul, the request was a mere form, and the doors of paradise were instantly opened to it, after such brief formalities as should tend to preserve the technical record of the law-court.  We tread here on very delicate ground.  Gaultier de Coincy, being a priest and a prior, could take